Computer Village teaches youth computer building

First you got to take it apart, then name the parts and figure out what each part does, and then you put it all back together again.

Welcome to the world of computer building at Computer Village.

A four-week summer program at John Know Presbyterian Church, 13200 Halls Ferry Road in Florissant, is giving youth hands on learning opportunities on how computers work.

“By dismantling a computer, they’re learning the vocabulary of the various parts and how each part works and how to build one – not just being an end user,” said Kelly Wimbley, a computer science programmer and class instructor.

“They’re learning how to be junior level technicians,” Wimbley added.

Hunteo Jackson, 11, a student in the class, is learning the parts of the computer. “I know what RAM is, what a USB cable does and other parts of the computer,” she said.

Kendall Carter, 11, has been paying attention, too and has plans for the future.

“I like it that we can assemble and dissemble computers so I can learn the parts,” Kendall said. “I want to be an engineer. This is going to help out.”

Computer Village is a community based, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation dedicated to teaching personal computer skills, advance technology and technological job skills training to urban communities and the undeserved from ages 4 years to 104. Computer Village has programs that also include solar energy, robotics, haz-mat training, bio-technology and computer repair.

Many of Computer Village’s learning centers charge no fees to individuals and families that attend the main facility at 4411 N. Newstead Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood of north city as well as its office just north of downtown at 1451 Mullanphy Street.

Computer Village serves more than 600 clients weekly, housed in churches, community centers, schools and shelters in 22 locations throughout the area, including four sites in metro east.

Computer Village operates an extensive outreach program that provides on site computer and technology training for after school, summer school welfare to work and adult education programs.

Computer Village works in collaboration with other non-profits and receives funding from grants, corporate contributions and its fee-based programs such as computer repair and sales, and small business computer training programs.

To learn more about Computer Village's programs, call 314.531.1900 or visit www.cvillage.org.